US3736743A - Timepiece regulating mechanism - Google Patents

Timepiece regulating mechanism Download PDF

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Publication number
US3736743A
US3736743A US00180040A US3736743DA US3736743A US 3736743 A US3736743 A US 3736743A US 00180040 A US00180040 A US 00180040A US 3736743D A US3736743D A US 3736743DA US 3736743 A US3736743 A US 3736743A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
spring
frequency
regulating mechanism
gear
timepiece
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00180040A
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English (en)
Inventor
K Koike
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Suwa Seikosha KK
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Suwa Seikosha KK
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Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP12006170A external-priority patent/JPS4948147B1/ja
Application filed by Suwa Seikosha KK filed Critical Suwa Seikosha KK
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3736743A publication Critical patent/US3736743A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/04—Oscillators acting by spring tension
    • G04B17/045—Oscillators acting by spring tension with oscillating blade springs
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B18/00—Mechanisms for setting frequency
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
    • G04C3/08—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a mechanical oscillator other than a pendulum or balance, e.g. by a tuning fork, e.g. electrostatically
    • G04C3/10—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a mechanical oscillator other than a pendulum or balance, e.g. by a tuning fork, e.g. electrostatically driven by electromagnetic means
    • G04C3/101—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a mechanical oscillator other than a pendulum or balance, e.g. by a tuning fork, e.g. electrostatically driven by electromagnetic means constructional details
    • G04C3/107—Controlling frequency or amplitude of the oscillating system

Definitions

  • a sprmg havmg a Fleld of Search TF, 1 16 R, p i g constant much lower than that of the vibrator is 58/116 coupled to the vibrator.
  • the effective length of the spring is adjustable by varying the point of contact [56] References cued between a regulating mechanism and the spring.
  • Ad- UNITED STATES PATENTS justment of the vibration frequency can be, effected from the exterior of the tlmep'lece and can be earned 3,540,210 11/1970 Saito e161 ..58/109 out Step wise 3,429,119 2/1969 Tamaru ..58/113 14 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUH 5 ms SHEET 1 BF 7 FIG. I
  • regulator adjusting means operable from the exterior of a timepiece where the timepiece is driven by a tuning fork are known, it has been found to Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.
  • the permanent magnet used in combination with the tuning fork is SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • a timepiece is driven by mechanical vibration means such as a tuning fork, said vibration means having a spring constant k
  • a suitable frequency regulating mechanism comprises a spring, one end of which is coupled to said vibration means, said spring having a spring constant Ak small relative to k, the effective length of said spring being adjustable over a range such that the vibration frequency of said vibration means is variable over a desired range, and means for adjusting the effective length of said spring.
  • the spring is conveniently circular and is centered with respect to a shaft on which is rotatably mounted an arm bearing a pin.
  • the pin engages the spring and rotation of the arm changes the point of engagement, thereby changing the effective length of the spring.
  • the arm can be rotated about the shaft by means of a pawl and ratchet wheel arrangement actuatable by a push rod protruding through the case of the timepiece. This to provide a means of precisely adjusting a timepiece driven by a vibrator.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a means of regulating a timepiece driven by a vibrator where the regulation is carried out step-wise.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a means of regulating a timepiece driven by a vibrator where the regulation is effected from the exterior of the timepiece.
  • Yet another object of the invention is a means of regulating a timepiece driven by a vibrator where the change in frequency resulting from rotation of an adjusting screw is proportional to the angle through which said screw is rotated.
  • a still further object of the invention is a means of regulating a timepiece driven by a vibrator where an adjusting means is coupled to an arm of a tuning fork.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of a frequency regulating mechanism in accordance with the present invention, coupled to a tuning fork;
  • FIG. 2 shows a mechanism similar to that of FIG. 1 in which the curvature of a hairspring can be varied
  • FIG. 3 is an elevational view in partial cross-section of the regulating mechanism of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view of a frequency regulation mechanism mounted on the base of a tuning fork
  • FIG. 5A is a plan view of a regulating mechanism operated by spur gears
  • FIG. 5B is a sectional view taken along line SB-SB of FIG. 5A;
  • FIG. 6 is a plan view of a regulating mechanism operated by a wormand worm gear combination
  • FIG. 7 shows diagrammatically how the effective lengths of the spring varies with rotation of an arm
  • FIG. 8 shows two functional relationships between the effective lengths of the spring and the vibration frequency of the vibration means
  • FIG. 9 shows a crown gear and spur gear combination making it possible to compensate for non-linearity in the relationship between the effective length of the spring and the vibration frequency of the vibration means.
  • FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the frequency regulating mechanism in which'the frequency can be adjusted step-wise.
  • FIG. I A frequency regulating mechanism in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. I and generally indicated by the reference numeral 11 is coupled to a tuning fork 12 carrying weights 13 on the ends thereof.
  • the regulating mechanism 11 is mounted on a shaft 14 and is held thereon by a spring loaded washer 15.
  • the mechanism comprises a spring 16 one end of which is held in a collet 17 on a stud 18 mounted on an arm of the tuning fork 12.
  • the other end of spring 16 is fixed in a stud 19 mounted on arm 21 which rotates about shaft 14.
  • a second arm 22 which also rotates about shaft 14 carries a pin 23.
  • Pin 23 makes contact with spring 16 thereby defining the effective length of the spring as that section between collet 14 and pin 23.
  • the function of arm 21 is to establish-the curvature of spring 16 as a circle slightly smaller than that followed by pin 23. In consequence, pin 23 makes firm but relatively frictionless contact with spring 16.
  • Tuning fork 12 is mounted to a base-plate (not shown) by screws 24.
  • the regulating mechanism 11 is mounted to the same base-plate.
  • the adjustable end of spring 16 can be held in the slot of a collet 25 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
  • arm 22 is held by wide-headed screw 26 to base-plate 27 with washer 28 between the head of screw 26 and base-plate 27.
  • the curvature of spring 16 is adjusted by moving the outer end of spring 16 through the slot of screw 25.
  • the regulating mechanism prefferably mounted on the base of tuning fork 12 as shown in FIG. 4.
  • one end is fixed to the arm of tuning fork 12 by the collet 17.
  • the other end of the spring 16 is held in collet 29 which is mounted on the base of the tuning fork l2.
  • arm 22 may be varied manually, it is preferable that the arm be positioned from a location exterior to the regulating mechanism and more preferably from a location exterior to the timepiece.
  • a location exterior to the regulating mechanism and more preferably from a location exterior to the timepiece.
  • FIGS. A and 53 Such an arrangement is shown in FIGS. A and 53 wherein regulator arm 22 is joined to a sector gear 31 which is driven by spur gear 32.
  • Spur gear 32 is rotated by a slotted shaft 32' which is external to the mechanism and which may extend through the case of the timepiece.
  • arm 22 is attached to worm gear 33 driven by worm 34.
  • Worm 34 is turned by means of shaft 35 which protrudes through timepiece housing 36 in the form of a slotted head. Shaft 35 is held in bearings 38.
  • the spring constant of the regulating spring is a function of the effective length of the spring, but, in general, the relationship is definitely non-linear. A typical relationship is shown in curve a of FIG. 8.
  • the effective length of spring 16 is the portion between pin 23 on arm 22 and collet 17. This length is indicated as portion 39 in FIG. 7.
  • Arm 22 is represented schematically in this Figure and is shown as being positioned at an angle alpha measured from the arm to the line joining the center of rotation and collet 17.
  • FIG. 9 A means of compensating for the non-linearity between the vibration frequency and the angle through which arm 22 is rotated is shown in FIG. 9.
  • arm 22 is joined with and rotates with crown gear 41 driven by spur 42.
  • crown gear 41 is circular but teeth 43 of crown gear 41 describe a circle having a center at 44.
  • center 44 is displaced substantially from center of rotation 45 of arm 22.
  • Curve b of FIG. 8 shows the relationship between the effective length of spring 16 and the frequency of vibration of the vibrating means. It is obvious that in this particular embodiment, the use of the crown gear with displaced center is effective in producing a linear function. Needless to say, crown gears with teeth lying on rotation of a shaft.
  • regulating arm 22 is i joined to sector gear 31 which is driven by spur gear 48.
  • Spur gear 48 is a ratchet wheel which operates in combination with the two pawls 49 and 51 at the extremities of shoe 52.
  • Shoe 52 has a slot 53 which receives pin 54. When at rest, shoe 52 is held away from ratchet 48 by spring 55. Pressure on knurled knob 56 forces foot 57 inwardly so that toe 58 makes contact with shoe 52.
  • pawl 49 makes contact with ratchet wheel 48 and rotates arm 22 in counter-clockwise direction.
  • Crown 56 can be rotated through a limited angle to take either of two positions in one of which pawl 49 actuates ratchet wheel 48 and the other of which pawl 51 actuates ratchet wheel 48.
  • the mechanism of FIG. l0' has the advantage that a single inward and outward excursion of a foot results in a step-wise change in the position of pin 23 making contact with spring 16 and thereby causes a step-wise changein the effective length of spring 16. It then becomes possible to calibrate the change in vibration frequency resulting from each inward and outward excursion of foot 57.
  • the direction of the resulting change in frequency depends on the orientation of foot 57.
  • the angle through which foot 57 can be rotated is limited. The most suitable angle is about to hold the rotation to this angle, a plate 62 is positioned adjacent foot 57. Rotation beyond the desired limits is achieved by positioning of a plate 62 adjacent foot 57. Plate 62 is essentially parallel to shoe 52. Rotation of foot 57 beyond the desired limiting positions is present by contact of toe 58 with plate 62.
  • said adjusting member further comv prises a first gear mounted on said shaft, a second gear engaging said first gear and means for rotating said second gear, thereby rotating said first gear and adjusting the point of contact between said pin and said spring.
  • a mechanical vibration means other than a balancewheel escapement and main-spring combination provides the frequency on which the timepiece rate is based, said mechanical vibration means having a spring constant k, a frequency regulating mechanism, comprising a spring one end of which is coupled to said vibration means and having a spring constant Ak small relative to k, the effective length of said spring being adjustable over a range such that the vibration frequency of said vibration means is variable over a de: sired range, and means for adjusting the effective length of said spring.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Apparatuses For Generation Of Mechanical Vibrations (AREA)
US00180040A 1970-09-14 1971-09-13 Timepiece regulating mechanism Expired - Lifetime US3736743A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP8002170 1970-09-14
JP12006170A JPS4948147B1 (fr) 1970-12-28 1970-12-28
JP12812070 1970-12-29

Publications (1)

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US3736743A true US3736743A (en) 1973-06-05

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00180040A Expired - Lifetime US3736743A (en) 1970-09-14 1971-09-13 Timepiece regulating mechanism

Country Status (4)

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US (1) US3736743A (fr)
DE (1) DE2145895C3 (fr)
FR (1) FR2106507B1 (fr)
GB (2) GB1365543A (fr)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2009533917A (ja) * 2006-04-07 2009-09-17 ザ スウォッチ グループ リサーチ アンド ディベロップメント リミティド． 調整システム用の結合した共振器
US20110090769A1 (en) * 2009-10-16 2011-04-21 Chit Yin Wong Compensation adjustment device for mechanical timepiece
US20140362670A1 (en) * 2011-12-27 2014-12-11 Rolex Sa Spring for clock movement
US20150043313A1 (en) * 2012-03-29 2015-02-12 Nivaroux-FAR S.A. Flexible escapement mechanism having a balance with no roller
CN104849993A (zh) * 2014-02-17 2015-08-19 斯沃奇集团研究和开发有限公司 用于维护和调节钟表谐振器的装置
US9471037B2 (en) 2011-12-27 2016-10-18 Rolex Sa Spring for clock movement
JP2016536578A (ja) * 2014-02-17 2016-11-24 ザ・スウォッチ・グループ・リサーチ・アンド・ディベロップメント・リミテッド 時計の共振器を維持及び調整するための方法
CN106471429A (zh) * 2014-05-05 2017-03-01 阿斯伽例姆·优尼泰克公司 用于钟表机芯的音叉机械振荡器

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH707187A2 (fr) * 2012-11-12 2014-05-15 Dominique Renaud Sa Résonateur de mouvement d'horlogerie et ensemble comprenant un tel résonateur et un mécanisme d'échappement.
CN109690424B (zh) 2016-03-14 2021-07-16 Lvmh瑞士制造公司 用于钟表的装置、包括该装置的钟表装置机芯和钟表
FR3048792B1 (fr) * 2016-03-14 2019-07-19 Lvmh Swiss Manufactures Sa Dispositif pour piece d'horlogerie, mouvement horloger et piece d'horlogerie comprenant un tel dispositif

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1835391A (en) * 1928-06-26 1931-12-08 Self Regulating Watch Corp Timepiece regulator
CH247759A (de) * 1945-04-06 1947-03-31 Garcia De Leaniz Fernando Vorrichtung zum Einstellen des Rückerzeigers von Uhren.
CH268588A (fr) * 1949-05-09 1950-05-31 Cervinka Bohdan Dispositif de réglage depuis l'extérieur des organes assurant la précision de marche d'une montre.
US2852909A (en) * 1954-07-29 1958-09-23 Wheaton Engineering Corp Escapement regulator
US2858664A (en) * 1954-05-24 1958-11-04 Heimann Philip Watches and like horological instruments
CH343901A (fr) * 1958-04-30 1959-12-31 Niquille Oscar Montre
US2959913A (en) * 1958-01-15 1960-11-15 Morf Ernest Regulator control device for watches
CH355739A (fr) * 1959-06-30 1961-07-15 Montres Cortebert Juillard & C Dispositif de réglage de la position d'une raquette de montre depuis l'extérieur du boîtier
US3016687A (en) * 1960-03-04 1962-01-16 Libman Max L Safety automatic regulator for timepieces
US3429119A (en) * 1966-05-13 1969-02-25 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Regulator of timepiece
US3540210A (en) * 1967-07-18 1970-11-17 Suwa Seikosha Kk Regulator adjusting device for watch

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1835391A (en) * 1928-06-26 1931-12-08 Self Regulating Watch Corp Timepiece regulator
CH247759A (de) * 1945-04-06 1947-03-31 Garcia De Leaniz Fernando Vorrichtung zum Einstellen des Rückerzeigers von Uhren.
CH268588A (fr) * 1949-05-09 1950-05-31 Cervinka Bohdan Dispositif de réglage depuis l'extérieur des organes assurant la précision de marche d'une montre.
US2858664A (en) * 1954-05-24 1958-11-04 Heimann Philip Watches and like horological instruments
US2852909A (en) * 1954-07-29 1958-09-23 Wheaton Engineering Corp Escapement regulator
US2959913A (en) * 1958-01-15 1960-11-15 Morf Ernest Regulator control device for watches
CH343901A (fr) * 1958-04-30 1959-12-31 Niquille Oscar Montre
CH355739A (fr) * 1959-06-30 1961-07-15 Montres Cortebert Juillard & C Dispositif de réglage de la position d'une raquette de montre depuis l'extérieur du boîtier
US3016687A (en) * 1960-03-04 1962-01-16 Libman Max L Safety automatic regulator for timepieces
US3429119A (en) * 1966-05-13 1969-02-25 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Regulator of timepiece
US3540210A (en) * 1967-07-18 1970-11-17 Suwa Seikosha Kk Regulator adjusting device for watch

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2009533917A (ja) * 2006-04-07 2009-09-17 ザ スウォッチ グループ リサーチ アンド ディベロップメント リミティド． 調整システム用の結合した共振器
US20100283556A1 (en) * 2006-04-07 2010-11-11 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Coupled resonator for regulating system
US7889028B2 (en) * 2006-04-07 2011-02-15 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Coupled resonator for regulating system
US20110090769A1 (en) * 2009-10-16 2011-04-21 Chit Yin Wong Compensation adjustment device for mechanical timepiece
US8322915B2 (en) * 2009-10-16 2012-12-04 Chit Yin Wong Compensation adjustment device for mechanical timepiece
US9471037B2 (en) 2011-12-27 2016-10-18 Rolex Sa Spring for clock movement
US20140362670A1 (en) * 2011-12-27 2014-12-11 Rolex Sa Spring for clock movement
US9395691B2 (en) * 2011-12-27 2016-07-19 Rolex Sa Spring for clock movement
US9304493B2 (en) * 2012-03-29 2016-04-05 Nivarox-Far S.A. Flexible escapement mechanism having a balance with no roller
US20150043313A1 (en) * 2012-03-29 2015-02-12 Nivaroux-FAR S.A. Flexible escapement mechanism having a balance with no roller
US9256206B2 (en) * 2014-02-17 2016-02-09 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd. Device for maintaining and regulating a timepiece resonator
US20150234353A1 (en) * 2014-02-17 2015-08-20 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Device for maintaining and regulating a timepiece resonator
CN104849993A (zh) * 2014-02-17 2015-08-19 斯沃奇集团研究和开发有限公司 用于维护和调节钟表谐振器的装置
JP2016536578A (ja) * 2014-02-17 2016-11-24 ザ・スウォッチ・グループ・リサーチ・アンド・ディベロップメント・リミテッド 時計の共振器を維持及び調整するための方法
CN104849993B (zh) * 2014-02-17 2017-07-14 斯沃奇集团研究和开发有限公司 用于维护和调节钟表谐振器的装置
CN106471429A (zh) * 2014-05-05 2017-03-01 阿斯伽例姆·优尼泰克公司 用于钟表机芯的音叉机械振荡器
US20170108830A1 (en) * 2014-05-05 2017-04-20 Asgalium Unitec Sa Tuning Fork Mechanical Oscillator for Clock Movement
CN106471429B (zh) * 2014-05-05 2019-05-14 斯沃奇集团研究和开发有限公司 用于钟表机芯的音叉机械振荡器
US10459405B2 (en) * 2014-05-05 2019-10-29 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd. Tuning fork mechanical oscillator for clock movement

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2145895B2 (de) 1974-08-01
DE2145895C3 (de) 1975-03-13
GB1366853A (en) 1974-09-11
GB1365543A (en) 1974-09-04
DE2145895A1 (de) 1972-03-16
FR2106507A1 (fr) 1972-05-05
FR2106507B1 (fr) 1975-02-07

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